SANFORD AND SON FAQ
Last updated 07/25/98
Who starred in the series?
Redd Foxx
Redd Foxx spent many years as a stand-up night club comic with a reputation for outrageous
and bawdy humor. With several albums of off-color material, Foxx built up a cult
following. His break into the mainstream occurred when he was cast to play crotchety Fred
Sanford with his raunchy, loud-mouthed comic style (although he did have to tone it down a
bit for network TV). Before "Sanford and Son," Foxx had made a handful of
classic guest appearances on "The Lucy Show," "The Addams Family,"
"Mr. Ed," and "Green Acres" as well as in the hilarious feature film
farce "Cotton Comes to Harlem." Foxx hit the big-time with "Sanford and
Son," but never forgot his roots, taking care of his old-timer pals by getting them
guest spots on the show, including a regular spot for his former partner, Slappy White.
Demond Wilson
Valdosta, Georgia native Demond Wilson decided to pursue acting as a career after
returning from service in the Vietnam war in the early '60s. After performing in a number
of touring stage productions, Demond made a go of it in Hollywood, where he appeared in a
few guest roles, including one on "Mission: Impossible" and a part in the 1971
Sidney Poitier film, "The Organization." After doing an episode of "All In
The Family" that same year, he was called to audition for "Sanford and Son"
which won him the part of Lamont Sanford. Wilson remained with the show until 1977, when
Redd Foxx opted out to do a variety show instead. Unhappy with the proposed direction of
the Foxless "Sanford & Son," Demond also moved on. His next sit-com was
"Baby I'm Back" in 1978, and he later returned for the 1982 series "The New
Odd Couple." In 1984, Demond Wilson became a minister, and in 1994 he formed
Restoration House, a vocational training organization for former inmates.
LaWanda Page
Before splitting the sides of America's TV audiences as Aunt Esther on "Sanford and
Son," LaWanda Page was known to nightclub audiences as "The Bronze Goddess of
Fire." In the tradition of old circus side-shows, LaWanda would light cigarettes with
her fingertips, swallow the fire and torch her body with the burning fire-sticks. Her work
on "Sanford and Son" was considerably less hazardous, and led her to a
successful career as a character actress.
Whitman Mayo
Although he first decided to become an actor in 1943, at age 13, it wouldn't be until 1972
that he would achieve fame for his beloved craft. Mayo was originally hired for one
episode of "Sanford & Son" as Grady, but was liked so much that his role was
made into a regular character. Grady was so popular, he was given his own spin-off show,
called "Grady" in 1975. When that didn't work out, he returned to "Sanford
& Son" and carried on the role in the short-lived continuation series,
"Sanford Arms." Mayo has acted steadily since, and can be seen in a
variety of TV and feature film projects.
Gregory Sierra
Best known as Julio, the Puerto-Rican Neighbor of Fred and Lamont Sanford, Gregory Sierra
was also Sanford and Son's most prolific cast member. Sierra first started turning up in
television dramas in the late '60s, generally in darker roles as the heavy or as a
criminal. He has countless credits to his name; his resume reads like an encyclopedia of
Classic TV, ranging from "Hawaii 5-0" to "Ellen."
What happened to Sanford and Son?
"Sanford and Son" was ranked in the top 10 during its 5 1/2 year run, and peaked
out at #2 in the 1972-3 and 1973-4 seasons, bested only by "All In The Family."
When the two lead stars opted out of the series after the '76-'77 season, the rest of the
cast carried on with the follow-up series "Sanford Arms." Taking place in
Aunt Esther's rooming house, "Arms" contained most of the original supporting
players; however without the brilliance of Foxx and Wilson, it fizzled in less than a
month. An attempt was made at a revival in 1980 with Foxx returning to the series
"Sanford," but the nation's taste for television had migrated south to
"Dallas" and "The Dukes of Hazzard," dooming "Sanford" to
one season.
What is the origin of Sanford and Son?
The series was based on a British comedy series called "Steptoe and Son" about a
father-son team of junkmen. An early American version of Sanford and Son starring Lee
Tracy and Aldo Ray never got past the pilot. Screen Gems which owned the rights for a
while, didn't even make a pilot. Then Yorkin, Lear, and writer-producer Aaron Ruben put
together a test episode with actor Barnard Hughes and Paul Sorvino which didn't sell. It
was only until they thought of making the junkdealer and his son black that the pieces
fell into place. When Redd Foxx was added to the cast, NBC began to take notice. Later,
Demond Wilson was picked up and a pilot script was made. The shows name came from Foxx who
was born John Sanford and had a brother named Fred. He uses the name in honor of his
deceased brother. The son's name Lamont, came from a long-time friend of Redd's in
St. Louis. With the most key elements in place, they did a run-through at CBS. One of the
first things the NBC people said was "Do you think we can go in January?" and
the rest is history.
What did the G really stand for in Fred G. Sanford?
To my knowledge, it was never mentioned what the G actually stood for.
What kind of Truck did Fred and Lemont have?
A 1962 Ford Pickup and a 1947 Mercury M-47
What was Esther and Elizabeths maiden name?
Esther and Elizabeth Winfield
After Esther married Woodrow, her name then was Esther Anderson.
What day and time was Sanford and Son playing when it was on the air.?
Sanford and Son Primiered in January on Friday at 8:00P.M. in 1972.
In 1976, it was showing on Fridays at 7:00P.M. Looks like it was at 6:30 on reruns
though..
Where can I get videotapes of the series?
Columbia House is presently offering a set of Sanford and Son videos.
How many episodes are in the series?
So far, I have counted 135 total episodes.. BUT
During a Barbara Walters special, Redd Foxx said that there were 145 episodes.
Who was the cast in the series?
Redd Foxx as "Fred G. Sanford"
Demond Wilson as "Lamont Sanford"
Whitman Mayo as "Grady Wilson"
La Wanda Page as "Aunt Esther"
Hal Williams as "Officer Smith"
Pat Morita as "Ah Chew"
Nathaniel Taylor as "Rollo"
Howard Plant as "Officer Hopkins"
Don Bexley as "Bubba"
Gregory Sierra as "Julio Fuentes"
Lynn Hamiliton as "Donna Harris"
Slappy White as "Melvin"
Matthew Beard
as "Otis"
Earnest Mayhand as "Skillet"
Leroy Daniels as "Leroy"
Noam Pitlik as "Officer Swanhauser"
Ramond Allen as "Uncle Woody"
Nancy Kulp as "Mae Hopkins"
Eric Lanueville as "Daniel Anderson"
Are there any stations that still show Sanford and Son?
Presently, Nick-At-Nites TV Land shows 2 Sanford and Son episodes a day during the week.
How much did Redd Foxx make during Sanford and Son?
Before his walkout in 1974, he was making $10,000 an episode and 7 percent of the show.
When he returned, he was making 25,000 an episode for 24 episodes a year, up
to $5,000 for reruns, and 25 percent of the show.
Where was Sanford and Son filmed at?
NBC's Studio 3 in Burbank, CA
Why was Grady the star of the show at the end of season 3?
Fred had called in sick the first week, but when he did not return for the 2nd week, the
illness story became suspect. Many began to tie his absence to an earlier incident in
which Redd walked out on a dinner honoring Norman Lear. Meanwhile, writers were revising
scripts, writing Fred out of the action on the story that Fred had gone to St. Louis for a
relatives funeral. Redd checked into a hospital for medical tests missing another week of
work. Sanford and Son still did very well without Fred, regaining its 2nd place spot in
the ratings, and that NBC recieved alot of phone calls, mostly favorable, regarding the
substitution of Mayo for Foxx. More rumblings happened when Foxx had taped a guest spot on
the Merv Griffin Show which indicated he was not so indisposed as to be unavailable for
work. Foxx revealed that he had turned down a $50,000 bonus to finish the last 5 shows due
to "Work conditions". NBC fired back saying that "Everything was done to
make him as comfortable as possible". Finally Foxx flew to New York to confer with
NBC president Herb Schlosser, and said the disagreement had been resolved. Two new
producers had taken the reigns of Sanford and Son, Sol Turteltaub and Bennie Orenstien.
Beginning season 4, Foxx announced that he was seeking 25 percent of Sanford and Son's
potential long-term profits. He ended up with $25,000 an episode for 24 episodes a
year, up to $5,000 for reruns, and 25 percent of the show.
What ever happened to Rollo(Nathaniel Taylor)?
This is another question people have been asking lately, so far, noone really knows.
After Sanford and Son, he was seen in episodes of Sanford and in the movie The Hunter
in 1980. He was last seen as JimJam on The Redd Foxx Show in 1986 for two
months.
What were the ratings?
In 1975, the ratings were : Average Minute Rating Is In ( )
1. ALL IN THE FAMILY (28.1)
2. SANFORD & SON (27.7)
3. SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN (26.6)
4. CHICO & THE MAN (26.0)
5. THE WALTONS (25.5)
6. HAPPY DAYS (24.3)
7. GOOD TIMES (24.0)
8. THE JEFFERSONS (23.3)
9. MAUDE (23.3)
10. RHODA (23.1)
Who would win in an argument, Fred Sanford or Archie Bunker?
This question will be asked for who knows how long. I only lean toward Fred for one
reason, Archie never had to deal with someone with the calibur of an Aunt Esther.
Where did I get all this Sanford and Son info? Check the articles.
TV Guide : May 13-19, 1972 : tvguidemay72.html
Ebony Magazine : July 1972 : ebonyjuly72.html
Ebony Magazine : June 1974 : ebonyjune1974.html
TV Guide : October 5-11, 1974 : tvguideoct1974.html
TV Guide : February 14-20, 1974 : tvguidefeb1976.html
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